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| (Photo credit: bbc.com) |
Hong Kong International Airport officials have made a significant discovery, uncovering approximately 11kg of suspected cocaine concealed in the cushions of an electric wheelchair. The estimated value of the seizure is around $1.5 million (£1.26 million). The incident occurred when a 51-year-old man was undergoing customs clearance on Saturday.
The individual, who had arrived from Sint Maarten in the Caribbean via Paris, was arrested following the find. If found guilty of drug trafficking, he could potentially face life imprisonment. The wheelchair was brought into the country as one of the man's two pieces of checked baggage. Customs officials became suspicious and ordered a further examination when they noticed signs of re-stitching on the seat cushion and backrest of the wheelchair.
The man, who is not a resident of Hong Kong and has mobility issues, claimed to be the director of a car rental company and stated that the wheelchair had been loaned to him by a friend. The incident is currently under investigation.
In response to this discovery, customs officials have announced plans to enhance checks on visitors from "high-risk regions" to combat transnational drug trafficking activities. Their aim is to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. According to their most recent statistics, the number of drug-related cases detected during customs checks in 2022 reached 931, surpassing the previous year's figure of 906. Moreover, in 2022, 178 individuals were arrested for offenses related to drug trafficking and distribution.
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This incident is not the first instance of drugs being found concealed in a wheelchair at an airport. In November of a previous year, authorities in New York seized $450,000 worth of cocaine hidden in the wheels of a woman's wheelchair. Similarly, in September 2022, Italian authorities discovered nearly $1.6 million worth of cocaine hidden in the upholstery of a motorized wheelchair in Milan.
Instances like these highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in detecting and preventing illicit drug trafficking. They serve as a reminder of the importance of robust customs checks and international collaboration in combating this global issue.
SOURCE:
- BBC NEWS- "Hong Kong: 11kg of suspected cocaine found in motorized wheelchair"
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